In recent years, formal dining spaces have experienced a plunge in popularity. While it once was unthinkable to have a home without a dedicated room for hosting your family and friends, today’;s homeowners are breaking tradition in favor of more relaxed interiors.

However, don’;t call these spaces a thing of the past just yet. These 2017 dining room trends prove that even the most outdated interiors can be modernized. Trust us when we say these are not your grandma’;s dining tables.

If you’;re ready to give the formal eating area another shot, we have all the info you need. Take a look at the 2017 dining room trends below and consider which ones fit in best with your aesthetic. Using the tips in this post as a guide, you’;ll be able to create a dining area fit for the 21st century.

Consider creating a cozy dining nook. Image: d2 interieurs

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Create a dining nook

These days, dining is going casual. For those opposed to dedicating a whole room to formal entertaining, consider carving out a separate area of your kitchen for the task. A dining nook gives you the extra seating you need while still remaining useful in your day-to-day life.

When putting together this space, it’;s crucial to strike the right balance between creating distinction and coordinating with the rest of the kitchen. Shape can be incredibly useful in setting your dining nook apart. Look, for example, at how the rounded furniture in the picture above contrasts with its linear background.

Meanwhile, color can be used to make your nook blend in with the rest of the room. Be sure to continue the same color palette in that area as was used in the rest of the room. However, if you’;re worried about the aesthetics blending too much, consider incorporating different prints or patterns in similar hues to give your nook extra visual interest.

Opt for bench seating

Another way that dining rooms are becoming more relaxed is through the type of seating that’;s selected for these spaces. Gone are the days where stuffy, high-backed chairs are used to create a uniform look. Instead, bench seating is a popular way to make your dining area feel incredibly homey.

Many people assume this type of seating arrangement is reserved for rustic interiors. While a sturdy, wooden bench would certainly not seem out of place as part of a natural look, it’;s far from the only option. A painted bench would be a perfect match for coastal interiors while an acrylic option would be at home in the most modern rooms.

Don’;t forget that benches can often be multi-functional. Consider adding some storage underneath to store your extra kitchen equipment or even including a cushion and some throw pillows to make your guests more comfortable.

Choose a lighting fixture with character. Image: Murphy Moon Design

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Include artistic lighting fixtures

There’;s no question that lighting is a must for any dining space, but that doesn’;t mean you’;re limited to a run-of-the-mill chandelier. Modern dining spaces tend to assume that the lighting fixture serves as the focal point of the room. Sometimes it’;s even considered a work of art.

When picking statement pieces of lighting, the size of the fixture is your main concern. As a general rule, if you add the length and width of the room together, you get a number equal to what the diameter of your chandelier should be. For example, if you’;re buying a fixture to put in a 8′ x 12′ room, 8+12 =20, so you should look for a fixture that is 20” in diameter.

As for aesthetics, the sky is really the limit. Your main goal should be to make sure the piece stands out. Think about using a bold color, maybe even one that’;s on the opposite side of the color wheel. Alternatively, you could choose a fixture that incorporates metals to add some shine to the room.

Choose playful chairs

The final trend we’;ll talk about is playful chairs. As you can see from the photo above, the laid-back trend in dining areas has expanded into eclectic territory. Think outside the box when it’;s time to select your chairs to infuse the space with a free-spirited atmosphere.

You have a few options. Choose to mix and match the color, shape or material of the chairs. Keep at least one of those details consistent throughout each piece. That will help subtly tie the chairs together, allowing you to get as wild as you like with the other aesthetic details.

Remember, when you’;ve chosen a design element that has this much of a visual impact, it should be the sole focal point. Use neutral colors and materials throughout the rest of the space to create a background that allows your chairs to stand out. Additionally, include plenty of negative space in your design to ensure the room’;s function isn’;t overwhelmed by its style.

Dining areas aren’;t the must-have feature they used to be. Rather than clamoring after formal spaces, today’;s homeowners would rather focus on relaxed interiors they can use every day of the year. That said, don’;t count these spaces out until you’;ve seen our favorite 2017 dining room trends. With the help of these tips, you’;ll be able to create a dining space that’;s fit for modern living.

What do you think of these 2017 dining room trends? Will you be using them in your home? Tell us what you think in the comments.

The post Here’;s Your Definitive Guide to 2017 Dining Room Trends appeared first on Freshome.com.